Editorial: Sequester mess threatens to sink Port of Hueneme

Workers and the economy in Ventura County would fare better without the national budget upheaval that began this month.

The sequester, an embarrassing failure of federal budget leadership, will cause disruptions and economic damage locally.

This week, officials at the Port of Hueneme said a ship scheduled to dock Saturday would have to wait until Monday for inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection because of new limits on inspectors' overtime pay during the sequester.

The wait would cost the ship's operator about $40,000 in actual expenses, while the U.S. government would save $300 or less by avoiding overtime pay for the inspectors, according to estimates provided by port officials.

Later, however, officials said bad weather apparently will delay the ship's arrival at the port until next week, when inspectors normally should be available. The vessel's operator may luckily avoid the additional costs.

But luck cannot be the foundation for smooth-running commerce and industry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials should restore approval for the relative pittance of overtime pay needed to keep the Port of Hueneme operating as usual.

The sequester was designed to trim a small percentage of overall U.S. spending. Yet, erasing all overtime pay at a small facility like the Port of Hueneme amounts to a 100 percent shutdown of the port on days when inspectors weren't scheduled to work, even if a ship is waiting at the dock.

That's catastrophic for the port and its workers. It could cause shipping interests to consider making changes — to consider other ports — which could be a difficult habit to reverse later. That would have lasting, damaging effects for workers in Ventura County.

The port and its workers aren't the only ones harmed by the sequester. But most certainly, a 100 percent shutdown of the Port of Hueneme on days when customs inspectors are needed — at a total overtime cost of just $200 to $300 — represents an utter breakdown of federal leadership and responsibility.

We call upon government leaders and officials to take immediate action to remedy this intolerable situation.